Child poverty and Pike River dominate first Question Time for Bill English as prime minister, sitting in the National frontbench seat formerly occupied by John Key. First bill put up for debate by Mister English’s National-led Government is the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Bill which passes its first reading by […]

Extended version of the Week in Parliament with Hinaya Ahu and Tom Frewen. Extra reports include the Speaker’a response to New Zealand First’s questions about the “Parliamentary Palace” and the first reading of a bill that would transfer responsibility for decisions on fluoridating local water supplies from territorial authorities to District Health Boards.

An exciting and historic week in the House after Prime Minister, John Key, announces his intention to resign after eight years. Speaker grants an urgent debate on the announcement on Tuesday and speculation on his successor dominates Wednesday’s General Debate and Question Times. Debate on Members Bills on Wednesday sees two from Government MPs survive […]

MPs take a break from speculating about John Key’s successor as National Party leader and Prime Minister to pass the Hurunui/Kaikoura Earthquakes Recovery Bill through all its remaining stages. The bill was back in the debating chamber after spending almost a week with the Local Government and Environment Committee whose chairman, Scott Simpson, related how […]

Questions to Ministers JAMI-LEE ROSS to the Minister of Finance: What announcements has he made showing the Government is on track to continue delivering surpluses and supporting a growing economy? ANDREW LITTLE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement, “Ministers find it a little bit irritating” when asking for funding, and […]

The Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Bill was read a first time and referred to the Health Committee. The Customs and Excise Bill was read a first time and referred to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee. The Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Advocacy, Workforce, and Age Settings) Amendment Bill was read a third time. The […]

Opposition interest in National’s three-legged race to find a replacement for John Key as their party leader and prime minister dominates Question Time and the General Debate. Questions include some old skeletons from the cupboards of Police Minister, Judith Collins, and Health Minister, Jonathan Coleman. New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, swaps barbs with Attorney-General, […]

ANDREW LITTLE to the Minister of Finance: Does he stand by his statement, “there is no room for significant loosening of the purse strings”, and does this apply to funding for health, police, and education? TODD BARCLAY to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received showing the New Zealand economy is on track […]

New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, gets his request for a snap debate on John Key’s resignation in ahead of Opposition leader, Andrew Little. The Speaker, David Carter, grants the request despite its technical flaws and opposition from the Government’s leader of the House, Gerry Brownlee. The government’s response to Winston Peters is led by […]

Extended version of the Week in Parliament with Hinaya Ahu featuring Tracey Martin and Catherine Delahunty in the General Debate and another round in the long running battle between Annette King and Jonathan Coleman, health ministers past and present.

Questions to Ministers DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received confirming New Zealand’s sovereign credit rating? METIRIA TUREI to the Prime Minister: Ka tū ia i runga i te mana o tana kōrero “I honestly wish I could have changed the flag”, i te wā i pātaitia ai, he aha tana […]

The Key administration’s go-to quake response minister, Gerry Brownlee, dominates the week in the House, shepherding three bills through the House as the Government’s response to the Kaikoura earthquake on November 14. Mister Brownlee then gives a yeah-no answer to a patsy question seeking the timing and magnitude of the next big quake. The Speaker’s […]

Child poverty and Pike River dominate first Question Time for ill English as prime minister, sitting in the National frontbench seat formerly occupied by John ey. First bill put up for debate by Mister English’s National-led Government is the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation ill which passes its first reading by […] Read More...

Extended version of the Week in Parliament with Hinaya Ahu and Tom Frewen. Extra reports include the Speaker’a response to New Zealand First’s questions about the “Parliamentary Palace” and the first reading of a bill that would transfer responsibility for decisions on fluoridating local water supplies from territorial authorities to District Health oards. Read More...